Emergency funding for transplant center approved

State lawmakers moved forward today with approving $1.5 million in emergency funds to support the Queen’s Medical Center in quickly launching an organ transplant facility to replace the one closed in the Hawaii Medical Center's bankruptcy.

Queen's would provide matching funds to cover the estimated $3 million in startup costs for the transplant facility.

The bill, approved unanimously, also includes $300,000 to the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii which would be matched by private donors to offer renal services to patients.

It now goes to Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who is expected to sign the measure. Abercrombie , in his state of the state speech last month, urged lawmakers to act quickly on the measure.